The magnificent Danube River, Europe’s second longest, is at the heart of some of Europe’s most celebrated cities: Budapest, crowned “Queen of the Danube;” Vienna, where Mozart composed some of his greatest operas and symphonies; and Melk with its grand Benedictine abbey. Touted as the “King of the rivers of Europe” by Napoleon, the river Danube connects eight countries from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Experiencing the pleasures of a river cruise down the Danube allows you the opportunity to explore the art, history and culture of these historic cities while being conveniently docked at a downtown river port.

Traveling by way of the river also allows you to view the beautiful scenery along the Danube’s mighty banks. Gothic cathedrals rise from amid lush vineyards and medieval villages stand looking much the same as they did hundreds of years ago. The cities along its banks have been home to some of the world’ finest composers, most notably Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In fact, Mozart’s family members themselves embarked on a journey down the river in September 1762 by way of post-boat when they traveled from Passau with stops along the way to showcase young Wolfgang’s brilliant musical talents. (See the accompanying article, “Cruising the Danube in Mozart’s Footsteps.”) 

Many companies offer seven-night seasonal cruises, late April through October, departing from Passau, Germany. Located about two hours northeast of Munich, this charming city is ideally located at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers, and is well worth a visit in itself. You can stroll cobblestone streets and graceful arcades, eat lunch in a typical medieval inn, and then visit impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its lavish interiors and one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Most cruise ships depart in the early evening, so it’s possible to explore Passau on the same day as your departure. 

While cruising along the Danube, you can explore these historical ports:

Durnstein, Austria – A delightful village in the heart of the beautiful Wachau wine region. You can sample the unique vintages of this fertile valley in one of the town’s quaint wine taverns.  A stroll through the cobblestone streets reveals old burgher houses and 16^th  through 18^th-century townhouses.

Vienna, Austria – A wealth of treasures awaits in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. An important center of classical music, theater, and history, Vienna is the city of the waltz, the Spanish Riding School, the Sacher Torte and the famous Vienna Boys Choir. You can visit Schonbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Hapsburgs, where a six-year-old Mozart first performed for the royal family in 1762. You can also attend a world-class opera or classical ballet at the renowned Staatsoper Theatre.

You might want to tour the magnificent Ringstrasse, and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where Mozart played the organ in his later years. Magnificent collections of art are displayed in the city’s many fine museums and palaces. Most river cruise ships overnight in Vienna to give their passengers more time to tour this regal city.

Eztergom, Hungary – A historic city that is known for Hungary’s largest church, modeled after St. Peter’s in Rome. Be sure to visit the remains of the former Royal Palace.

Budapest, Hungary – This lovely city rewards visitors with its great diversity. A sightseeing tour might include visits to St. Matthias church and picturesque Gellert Hill, overlooking the Danube.  Or you can spend the day exploring the colorful Market Hall, seeking out local goods, specialty foods, and arts and crafts. A visit to one of the many local therapeutic baths or mineral springs in the metro area could be the healing culmination of your visit.   

Bratislava, Slovakia – The capital of Slovakia, this city, once known as Pressburg, had long functioned for the Hapsburgs as a handsome setting for their coronations as the kings of Hungary.  A young Mozart gave a series of concerts for the Hungarian nobility in December of 1762, during his family’s historic post-boat tour. You can tour the beautiful Bratislava Castle that offers breathtaking views of three countries, and visit the gothic Cathedral of St. Martin, the coronation site of many Hungarian monarchs.

Melk, Austria – This charming town with flower-adorned streets is perfect for exploring on foot. It’s best known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from a 180-foot ridge and is one of the most splendid examples of Baroque architecture in the world.

Grein, Austria – This stately gothic city dates back to the 11^th century, and is home to the oldest theater in Austria. A stop here is a genuine trip back in time. 

A cruise down the Danube allows you to travel in elegance and comfort, while visiting some of Europe’s most important cultural centers and charming towns that emerged centuries ago along its fertile banks. You only need to unpack once, as the boat becomes your traveling home for the week. You can look forward to seven days of being leisurely transported through beautiful scenery, getting on and off the boat at your leisure at the ports described above, enjoying wonderful meals and observing and participating in festive events. 

Afterwards, an excursion to nearby Salzburg, Austria is a must. The city is only a short two-hour drive from Passau. There’s also frequent train service between these two cities. Salzburg is Mozart’s birthplace, and this charming city of Bavarian design hosts many cultural and musical events. 

From mid-September to the end of October is an ideal time to visit the fairytale land around Salzburg, when the countryside is full of fall color, and the opera and classical music venues are in full swing.